Tool case



A. A. HUME Aug. 30, 1966 TOOL CASE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 26, 1964A. A. HUME Aug. 30, 1966 TOOL CASE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 26, 1964FIG. 3

m. J M m fin w, Mm A United States Patent 3,269,529 TOOL CASE Andrew A.Hume, 135 W. Rustic Lodge Ave, Minneapolis, Minn. Filed Mar. 26, 1964,Ser. No. 354,856 9 Claims. (Cl. 20616) This invention relates to a newand improved case for machine screw tools, such as drills, taps, dies,die stock, tap holder and wrench and countersink or reamer. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to a compact portable pocket-sizetool case adapted to receive and contain a complete set of tools forcarriage and storage, which at the same time makes each of the toolsreadily accessible for use.

The invent-ion is described in connection with the accompanying drawingsin which corresponding parts are identified by the same numerals and inwhich:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the tool case according to the presentinvention shown in its full open position;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation in section on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 andin the direction of the arrows showing the tap and drill storage sectionof the case;

FIGURE 3 is an end elevation in section along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1and in the direction of the arrows, but showing the case in full closedposition;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary end elevation in section on the line 44 ofFIGURE 1 and in the direction of the arrows showing the case in fullclosed position, and particularly showing the latching means therefor;and

FIGURE 5 is a partial fragmentary end elevation in secion on the line5-5 of FIGURE 1 and in the direction of the arrows showing the case infull closed position.

Referring now to the drawings, the tool case according to the presentinvention and indicated generally at is comprised of a pair of matchedcooperating and complementary flat halves 11 and 12 which fold againstone another in face-to-face abutting relation in the nature of a bookand are joined together along a hinged spine 13. Each of the case halves11 and 12 is generally rectangular and provided with flat bottom walls14 and 15, respectively; end walls 16 and 17 and 18 and 19,respectively; front side walls 20 and 21, respectively; and back sidewalls 22 and 23, respectively. The outer housings or shells of the casehalves are desirably stamped or otherwise fabricated from thin strongrigid sheet metal or molded or otherwise fabricated from thin strong,rigid synthetic resinous material. Exemplary materials includephenol-formaldyhyde, urea-formaldyhyde, polystyrene, acrylics and thelike. The two complementary halves fold together along the hinged spine13 like a book. A leaf spring latch member 24 located about midwaybetween the ends of the front wall 21 of one half of the case engages acooperating detent or depression 25 in the front wall 20 of the oppositehalf of the case to lock the case in closed position, as shown in FIGURE4, although obviously other conventional latching and locking means maybe similarly used.

One half of the case, in this instance the left hand half as illustratedin FIGURE 1 and identified generally at 11, contains a plurality ofcircular dies 26 along with a die stock 27. The dies 26 are of difierentsizes selected for any of the popular sizes of machine screws. A typicalassortment of eight sizes would be, for example, 4-36, 4-40, 6-32, 8-32,10-24, 10-32, 12-24, and A-20. Other assortments might be the toolscomprising the NC (National Coarse) or NF (National Fine) series, or thelike.

Obviously, both the number of dies and sizes may be varied widely. Aplurality of die holding cavities or recesses 28 is provided in a rowalong the side of case half 11 away from the hinged spine 13. Each diecavity 28 3 269,529 Patented August 30, 1966 is of a width justsufiiciently larger than the diameter of the die 26 that the die fitstherein with a loose or sloppy slide fit and a length approximately 6 toA longer than the diameter of the die.

The inner end of the die recess 28, that is the end of the recess towardthe hinged spine 13 of the case, is partially enclosed to form a pocketin which the die fits and is retained without falling out when the caseis tilted, as in closing or other handling. The depth of the coveredpocket end of the die recess is just slightly greater than the thicknessof the die in order to provide a loose or sloppy fit of the die therein.Its width is between about /3 and /s of the diameter of the die andgreater than the distance by which the length of cavity 28 exceeds thediameter of the die. This is to insure against accidental dislodgementof the dies from their respective cavities. As shown, each die recess 28is defined by a wall member 29 shaped to the desired contour and size ofthe recess and the die retaining pocket ends of the die recesses arefurther defined by an overhanging lip or cover plate 30 extendingpartially over the die recess at the inner end thereof.

A cooperating row of die recesses 31 and 32 extends along the oppositeside of case half 11 adjacent the hinged spine 13. These recesses are ofthe same general size and shape as recesses 28 already described. Eachhas a covered retaining pocket at its end adjacent the hinged spine toretain dies within the recesses when the case is tilted. Recesses 31 areformed wall members 33 shaped to the size and configuration of therecess. Die recesses 32 adjacent the end walls of case half 11 areformed within block members 34 which perform a further function ofpositioning and retaining the handle of the die stock 27, as describedhereinafter. The innermost ends of recesses 31 and 32 are partiallyenclosed by means of overhanging lips or cover plates 35 to define thedie retaining pockets which prevent dislodgment of the dies when thecase is tilted.

To facilitate easy grasping of the dies with the fingers, the side wallsof the cavities 28, 31 and 32 as defined by wall members 29, 33 and 34are preferably of a height less than the thickness of the dies as shown.It will be readily seen that when the case is laid fiat on a bench ortable, a die is easily inserted by grasping the sides of the die withthumb and forefinger and inserting in the recess with the die disposedat a slight angle toward the covered portion of the recess. 'Thisbottommost inclined edge of the die is slipped under the edge of theretaining cover member and the die may then be dropped into place. Whenthe case is lifted for closing and the case is folded along the hinge tobring the halves together each of the dies will slip into its respectiveretaining pocket. When the case is opened the dies tend to remain in theretaining pocket. They may be easily removed by lifting the case andletting the dies slide out of the retaining pockets into the openportions of the die recesses from which the dies may be readily removed.

The die stock 27 is adapted to be disposed in a recess between the tworows of die recesses. The die stock 27 is retained in the case duringopening and closing thereof by means of overhanging retaining lips 36formed in the wall of members 34 defining die recesses 32 and engagingthe ends of the handle of the die stock. The die recesses are spacedapart transversely of the case half 11 to provide a recess for theelongated handle of the die stock and longitudinally of the case toprovide a recess for the hub 37 of the die stock and its retaining setscrew 38.

The die stock is adapted as a tap holder and wrench by means of a tapholder adapter disk 3? having substantially the same diameter andthickness as the dies 26, i.e., one inch. The tap holder adapter disk 39is provided with a plurality of apertures 40-44 of decreasing size eachadapted to receive the square shank of a tap. For example, aperture 40measures inch on a side and is adapted to receive the shank of a /420tap; aperture 41 measures inch to a side and takes a 12-24 tap; aperture42 is inch to a side and takes a 1032 and -24 tap; aperture 43 is 4;inch per side and takes a 332 tap and aperture 44 is inch to a side andtakes taps Nos. 26. Each of these apertures is desirably provided withabout a 4 taper on both sides to facilitate entry of the tap shanks andtight gripping of the caps by jamming or wedging of the shanks into thetapered apertures. The tap holding apertures are arrayed about thecenter of the adapter disk so that the greatest force may be exerted onthe larger taps with greatest ease by the operator and minimum stressand strain to the adapter disk.

It will be readily seen that the number of die recesses may be varied toadapt the case to hold the proper die assortment for particular needs.Each of the recesses is characterized by a retaining pocket to preventdislodgment of the dies and die stock from the case when the case istilted in opening and closing. The recesses may be formed by molding ormachining or otherwise fabricated from any suitable material, such assynthetic resinous material, such as, acrylics and the like.

The opposite side of the tool case designated generally as 12 isespecially adapted to hold a plurality of taps and drills of sizescorresponding to the dies and a countersink or reamer. A tap swivel baror block 45 is disposed in one end of the case half '12. The tap swivelbar 45 is pivoted in the case by means of a pair of projecting lugs orears 46 which engage apertures in the front and rear side walls 21 and23 to permit the swivel bar to be swung upwardly to provide easy accesstherein. The tap swivel bar is provided with a plurality of deepparallel holes or channels open at one end and extending transversely ofthe bar and longitudinally of the case, each adapted to receive theshank of a tap 48. Preferably a pair of channels 47 is provided for eachof the smaller size taps which are more susceptible to breakage so thata spare may always be kept on hand.

Similarly a drill swivel block or bar 49 is provided at the opposite endof the case half 12. Drill swivel bar 49 is likewise provided withprojecting lugs or ears 50 which engage apertures in the front and backside walls 21 and 22 of the case half 12 to permit the swivel bar to bepivoted to expose the drills for easy access. The drill swivel bar 49 islikewise provided with a plurality of parallel holes or channels 51which are open at one end and extend transversely of the bar andlongitudinally of the case half '12 and are adapted to receive theshanks of a plurality of drills 52 of different sizes. Again, a pair ofchannels is preferably provided for the drills of smallest size whichare more susceptible to breakage in order to provide a spare.

Both the tap swivel bar 45 and the drill swivel bar 49 are pivoted inthe case half 12 spaced from the bottom wall so that when slight fingerpressure is exerted against either of the swivel bars along the edgesadjacent the end walls of the case half, the swivel bars are readilytilted up into their upright positions, as shown in broken lines inFIGURE 2.

The space in the drill and tap half of the case between the ends of thetap swivel bar and drill swivel bar is occupied by a center block orfiller 53 which is provided with a plurality of open topped channels orgrooves 54 which are in longitudinal alignment with the channels 47 ofthe tap swivel block and a plurality of open topped channels or grooves55 which are in longitudinal alignment with channels 51 of the drillswivel block. The upper surface of block 53 is approximately iflush withthe top surfaces of the swivel bars and with the end and side walls ofthe case half 12 and when the case is closed butts against the covermembers and enclosing the die retaining pockets and the tops ofretaining lips 36. Thus, when the case is closed the abutting surfacesof the two case halves cooperate with one another to retain the tools inplace.

Each of the channels 54 and 55 is of a length adapted to receive the tapor drill or appropriate size so as to receive the tool with a loose fitbut to provide a minimum of movement or play for that tool. When theswivel bars are in their folded down position, each tool is securelyheld in place so that the tools cannot become mixed or intermingled ordislodged from their own channels. At the same time, each tool is easilyaccessible when the swivel bar is tilted to its upward position exposingthe tools for selection.

The swivel bars 45 and 49 and the center block 5-3 are desirably formedfrom synthetic resinous material, such as an acrylic resin. The centerblock 5 3 is desirably held in place by means of a plurality ofdepressions or detents 56 pressed into the side walls of the case half12 and engaging similar depressions or detents formed in the centerblock. To minimize weight of the case the center block :53 may bepartially hollowed out to provide the air space 57.

As best seen in FIGURE 1, the larger size taps and drills are disposedalong one side wall of the case half 12 and arrayed in graduateddecreasing sizes to the opposite side wall. This provides a spacebetween the smaller and shorter size taps and drills for a countersinkor reamer recess 59. The top opening of recess 59 is of a size and shapecorresponding generally to the size and shape of the head of acountersink or reamer tool 60, but inwardly from the opening the recesshas a width of about A to times larger than the diameter of the head ofthe countersink tool so as to provide for an overhanging lip 61 on theside of the opening toward the hinged spine of the case. This permitsthe countersink tool to be retained in the recess so as not to becomedislodged when the case is tilted, as in opening and closing. The shank62 of the countersink tool extends into a larger communicating recess'63 which is of a larger size which permits the shank to be easilygrasped between thumb and forefinger for insertion into and removal fromthe recess 59.

It will be seen that there is provided a compact portable pocket sizemachine screw tool kit which is complete in that it provides for taps,dies and drills in a plurality of matching sizes required for particularneeds and uses along with a die stock tap holder and wrench andcountersink. The particular tools to be encased may be of any of thepopular sizes or combinations. The case folds as a book. The dies, diestock, tap holder and wrench are conveniently retained on one side whileat the same time are immediately accessible. A plurality of taps anddrills and countersink are conveniently retained in the other side andby means of the swivel bars the taps and drills are immediatelyaccessible. Each of the tools is individually retained in a recess orpocket. The sides of the case cooperate to retain the tools in place.Provision is made for storage of spares of those tools which are mostlikely to be broken. The case may be easily opened and closed withoutdanger of spillage of the tools. The case is especially adapted tofacilitate mechandising of entire complete kits of tools.

'It is apparent that many modifications and variations of this inventionas hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spiritand scope thereof. The specific embodiments described are given by wayof example only and the invention is limited only by the terms of theappended claims.

I claim:

1. A compact portable tool case for containing a plurality of machinescrew tools in a set :of varying size tools, said case comprising a pairof matched case halves joined together along a hinged spine and foldableupon one another in abutting face-to-face contact, zone of said casehalves being provided with a plurality of recesses disposed in a pair ofspaced apart rows, each recess adapted to receive a die, each of saiddie receiving recesses being provided with means for retaining a dietherein against dislodgment upon tilting of the case, said same casehalf being provided with a die stock recess disposed between two rows ofdie recesses, said die stock recess being provided with means forretaining a die stock therein against dislodgment upon tilting of thecase, the other of said case halves being provided with a firstpivotally mounted bar having a plurality of elongated parallel channelseach adapted to receive the shank of a tap, and a further pivotallymounted bar having a plurality of elongated parallel channels eachadapted to receive the shank of a drill, said pivotally mounted barsbeing disposed in opposite ends of said other case half for pivotalmovement about parallel axes, a fixed center block disposed between saidpivotally mounted bars, a plurality of elongated opentopped parallelchannels in said center block, each of said last named channels being inlongitudinal alignment with a channel in one of said pivotally mountedbars, said aligned channels being of graduated varying sizes and adaptedto retain taps and drills of corresponding varying sizes, said pivotallymounted bars when tilted being adapted to lift one end of taps anddrills retained therein out of the aligned open-topped channels forready access, a further recess in said fixed center block disposedbetween the shorter of said open-topped channels and adapted to receivea countersink tool, said last named recess being provided with means forretaining a countersink tool therein against dislodgment upon tilting ofthe case.

2. A tool case according to claim 1 further characterized in that saidcase is generally flat and rectangular, pocket sized and having a shellof thin strong formed sheet material with means for retaining thematched halves in closed relationship.

3. A tool case according to claim 1 further characterized in that saidmeans for retaining said dies, die stock and countersink tool in theirrespective recesses comprises an overhanging retaining lip extending inthe direction away from the hinged spine of the case to provide apartially enclosed retaining pocket in each tool recess on the side ofthe recess toward the hinged spine.

4. A tool case according to claim 1 further characterized in that saidpivotally mounted bars are provided with dual parallel tap and drillreceiving channels for taps and drills of smallest sizes whereby sparereplacement taps and drills may be provided for those tools most likelyto be broken.

5. A compact portable kit of machine screw tools comprising a casehaving a pair of matched case halves joined together along a hingedspine and foldable upon one another in abutting face-to-face contact,one of said case halves being provided with a plurality of recessesdisposed in a pair of spaced apart rows, each recess adapted to receivea die, each of said die receiving recesses being fitted with a die ofditferent size and provided with means for retaining each die thereinagainst dislodgment upon tilting of the case, said same case half beingprovided with a die stock recess disposed between two rows of dierecesses, said die stock recess being fitted with a die stock andprovided with means for retaining said die stock therein againstdisloclgrnent upon tilting of the case, the other of said case halvesbeing provided with a first pivotally mounted bar having a plurality ofelongated parallel channels each adapted to receive the shank of a tap,and a further pivotally mounted 'bar having a plurality of elongatedparallel channels each adapted to receive the shank of a drill, saidpivotally mounted bars being disposed in opposite ends of said othercase half for pivotal movement about parallel axes, a fixed center blockdisposed between said pivotally mounted bars, a plurality of elongatedopen-topped channels in said center block, each of said last namedchannels being in longitudinal alignment with a channel in one of saidpivotally mounted bars, said aligned channels being of graduated varyingsizes and adapted to retain taps and drills of corresponding varyingsizes, the first of said pivotally mounted bars being fitted with aplurality of taps of dilferent sized taps and the other of saidpivotally mounted bars being fitted with a plurality of different sizeddrills, said pivotally mounted bars when tilted being adapted to liftone end of said taps and drills retained therein out of the alignedopen-topped channels for ready access, a further recess in said fixedcenter block disposed between the shorter of said open-topped channelsand adapted to re ceive a countersink tool, said last named recess beingfitted with a countersink tool and provided with means for retainingsaid countersink tool therein against dislodgment upon tilting of thecase.

6. A tool kit according to claim 5 further characterized in that saidcase is generally flat and rectangular, pocket sized and having a shellof thin strong formed sheet material with means for retaining thematched halves in closed relationship.

7. A tool kit according to claim 5 further characterized in that saidmeans for retaining said dies, die stock and countersink tool in theirrespective recesses comprises an overhanging retaining lip extending inthe direction away from the hinged spine of the case to provide apartially enclosed retaining pocket in each tool recess on the side ofthe recess toward the hinged spine.

8. A tool kit according to claim 5 further characterized in that saidpivotally mounted 'bars are provided with dual parallel tap and drillreceiving channels for taps and drills of smallest sizes whereby sparereplacement taps and drills may be provided for those tools most likelyto be broken.

9. A tool kit according to claim 5 further characterized in that saiddie stock is provided with a tap holder and wrench adapter disk fittedtherein and having a plurality of tap holding apertures therein, each ofsaid apertures being a different size to receive the shank of taps ofdifferent sizes and being tapered whereby the shanks of said taps may bewedged therein.

No references cited.

LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner.

5. A COMPACT PORTABLE KIT OF MACHINE SCREW TOOLS COMPRISING A CASEHAVING A PAIR OF MATCHED CASE HALVES JOINED TOGETHER ALONG A HINGEDSPINE AND FOLDABLE UPON ONE ANOTHER IN ABUTTING FACE-TO-FACE CONTACT,ONE OF SAID CASE HALVES BEING PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF RECESSESDDISPOSED IN A PAIR OF SPACED APART ROWS, EACH RECESS ADAPTED TO RECEIVEA DIE, EACH OF SAID DIE RECEIVING RECESSED BEING FITTED WITH A DIE OFDIFFERENT SIZE AND PROVIDED WITH MEANS FOR RETAINING EACH DIE THEREINAGAINST DISLODGMENT UPON TILTING OF THE CASE, SAID SAME CASE HALF BEINGPROVIDED WITH A DIE SOTCK RECESS DISPOSED BETWEEN TWO ROWS OF DIERECESSES, SAID DIE STOCK RECESS BEING FITTED WITH A DIE STOCK ANDPROVIDED WITH MEANS FOR RETAINING SAID DIE STOCK THEREIN AGAINSTDISLODGMENT UPON TILTING OF THE CASE, THE OTHER OF SAID CASE HALVESBEING PROVIDED WITH A FIRST PIVOTALLY MOUNTED BAR ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THESHANK OF A TOP, LEL CHANNELS EACH ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE SHANK OF A TAP,AND A FURTHER PIVOTALLY MOUNTED BAR HAVING A PLURALITY OF ELONGATEDPARALLEL CHANNELS EACH ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE SHANK OF A DRILL, SAIDPIVOTALLY MOUNTED BARS BEING DISPOSED IN OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID OTHERCASE HALF FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT PARALLEL AXES, A FIXED CENTER BLOCKDISPOSED BETWEEN SAID PIVOTALLY MOUNTED BARS, A PLURALITY OF ELONGATEDOPEN-TOPPED CHANNELS IN SAID CENTER BLOCK, EACH OF SAID LAST NAMEDCHANNELS BEING IN LONGITUDINAL ALIGNMENT WITH A CHANNEL IN ONE OF SAIDPIVOTALLY MOUNTED BARS, SAID ALIGNED CHANNELS BEING OF GRADUATED VARYINGSIZES AND ADAPTED TO RETAIN TAPS AND DRILLS OF CORRESPONDING VARYINGSIZES, THE FIRST OF SAID PIVOTALLY MOUNTED BARS BEING FITTED WITH APLURALITY OF TAPS OF DIFFERENT SIZED TAPS AND THE OTHER OF SAIDPIVOTALLY MOUNTED BARS BEING FITTED WITH A PLURALITY OF DIFFERENT SIZEDDRILLS, SAID PIVOTALLY MOUNTED BARS WHEN TILTED BEING ADAPTED TO LIFTONE END OF SAID TAPS AND DRILLS RETAINED THEREIN OUT OF THE ALIGNMENTOPEN-TOPPED CHANNELS FOR READY ACCESS, A FURTHER RECESS IN SAID FIXEDCENTER BLOCK DISPOSED BETWEEN THE SHORTER OF SAID OPEN-TOPPED CHANNELSAND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A COUNTERSINK TOOL, SAID LAST NAMED RECESS BEINGFITTED WITH A COUNTERSINK TOOL THEREIN AGAINST DISLODGFOR RETAINING SAIDCOUNTERSINK TOOL THEREIN AGAINST DISLODGMENT UPON TILTING OF THE CASE.